WATCH: Rescuers save jaguar with critical injuries from drowning
The animal was in severe distress and trying to stay alive.
It's never easy seeing an animal in pain and suffering.
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An incredible rescue effort recently went viral on social media for all the right reasons.
The incident occurred in the Amazonas, the largest state in Brazil.
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The Brazilian Amazonas State Secretariat for Public Security shared a video of a jaguar being rescued on their official Instagram page.
In the caption, they explained what happened: "The Amazonas Military Police (PMAM), through the Environmental Battalion, received a report that a jaguar had been trying to cross the river for several hours. Upon arriving at the scene, the team found the animal severely emaciated."
The jaguar was spotted trying to cross the Rio Negro river, but was struggling, and the rescuers did not know the extent of its injuries.
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All they knew was they had to save the jaguar.
With the help of the Secretary of Animal Protection (Sepet) and a feline specialist, the team provided the jaguar with a float.
The animal cautiously approached the boat, immediately clung to the float, and the officials towed it to safety.
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Watch the heartwarming moment here:
According to the Independent, the officials discovered that the jaguar had been shot multiple times, and it was found to have more than 30 pieces of shrapnel embedded in its face, head and neck.
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Viewers worldwide have been shocked and impressed that the animal managed to survive long enough to be rescued.
Despite its injuries, officials say the animal was in stable condition after being treated at a clinic in Manaus and then transferred to a zoo.
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The jaguar is Brazil's national animal and a protected species.
Though revered as a symbol of strength and beauty, jaguars remain under threat of extinction from deforestation, habitat loss, and conflict with humans, such as poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
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